Stock quotation projecting machine



Nov. 2, 1937. A n-z 2,097,453

STOCK QUOTATION PROJECTING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 31, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR.

(/605717. [7725M kg/@247 (Q/ W A TTORNEY Nov. 2, 1937. A. D. EITZEN 2,097,453

STOCK QUOTATION PROJECTING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 31, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 N V EN TOR. 140 60.5 TZZ Z? 725/1 syg/wdj w A TTORNEY Patented Nov. 2, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STOCK QUOTATION PROJECTING MACHINE Application December 81, 1931, Serial No. 584,147 Renewed January 23, 1937 10 Claims.

This invention relates to stock quotation projecting machines in general and more especially to the control of tape pulling devices contemplating the actuation and arrest of the tape feed in synchronism with the actuation and arrest of an intermittently actuating ticker or the like.

Among the objects of the present invention, it is aimed to provide an improved control for tape pulling device associated with an electric motor as a source of the tape pulling power, the actuation of which is interrupted to correspond to the arrest and actuation of the ticker and a mercury switch responsive to deflections in the tape in turn to open or close the circuit of the electric motor by means of which control the moment of make and break can be predetermined within narrow limits, due in part to the elimination of lost motion and the reduction of the weight on the tape to a minimum.

It it still another object of the present invention to provide an improved tape pulling control of the character described for a stock quotation projecting machine, the number of moving parts of which is reduced to a minimum, in turn to reduce to a minimum the cost of production, assembly and upkeep, and by means of which the weight on the tape is consequently further reduced to a minimum in turn substantially to eliminate lost motion thereby to facilitate effecting 30 the moment of make and break Within predetermined narrow limits.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved tape pulling control for a stock quotation projecting machine in 35 which corrosion due to disintegration, carbonization from stray oil, oxidation and the like is reduced to a minimum, the contact points of the switch used/co wit a mercury switch, being completely protected from exposure thereby not only protected from oxidation but also from any tendency to be a fire hazard; the paper engaging portion of the switch being the glass container of the fluid mercury itself which can be cleaned 0r washed from time to time of any accumulated dirt or ink without danger of oxidation either from the accumulated ink or from the cleaning fluid used; and in which switch, lubrication if any may be reduced to a minimum due to the minimum number of movable parts and consequently of bearings, preferably not more than one, and the light weight of the respective movable parts and consequent slight wear, thereby permitting the maintenance of the switch parts in comparatively a dry state, particularly free from exposed lubrication so attractive to the accumulation of dust particles and the like.

These and other features, capabilities and advantages of the invention will apear from the subjoined detail description of specific embodi- 5 ments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a stock quotation projecting machine made according to one embodiment of the present invention; 10

Fig. 2 is a fragmental enlarged view showing a side view of the switch used in the embodiment of Fig. 1 in one position when the current is intcrrupted;

Fig. 3 is a fragmental enlarged View showing a side view of the same switch in another position when the switch is closed;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4--4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmental enlarged plan view of the switch shown in Fig. 2; 20

Fig. 6 is a iragmental enlarged end elevation of the switch used in another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. '7 is a fragmental enlarged side elevation of the switch illustrated in Fig. 6; 25

Fig. 8 is a fragmental enlarged end elevation of the switch used in still another embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmental enlarged side elevation of the switch illustrated in Fig. 8.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, the housing I is illustrated as that of a high speed ticker in which the tape T passes over the light aperture formed on the top of the extension 2 of the lamp housing 3 from which the tape passes to and under the idler 4 mounted on the housing 5 of the tape puller from which the tape passes over the pulling sheave 6 and under the idler 1 from which it passes on to the rewind reel 8 in the usual way.

The tape is maintained in en agement with the pulling sheave 6 by the pressure roller 9. The pulling sheave 6 is mounted on the shaft i on which is fixed the worm wheel II in mesh with the worm l2 on the shaft 13 cf the motor [4. The shaft ID has also mounted thereon the pulley l5 which is connected to the pulley iii of the rewind reel 8 by the belt I'l.

. The images of the tape formed at the light aperture in the extension 2 are received by the projecting lens formed in the housing 18 supported in the frame l9 mounted on the housing 3 by which the images are projected onto the mirror 20 to be deflected onto the mirror 2| and 7 then deflected onto thesc'reen 22 in upright device.

' readable position.

Between the support 23 of theticker and the entrance end of the light aperture, the tape T is ireeto form a loop. The tape is here ordinarily engaged by a switch arm or the like constituting part of the control for the tape pulling In the present embodiment, the tape is here engaged by the glass container'ifl which holds the fluid mercury of the mercury switch used in present embodiment. The fluid mercury 2 5, when the container-2d is tilted into the ing the tape at the entrance to position indicated in Fig. 3, establishes a conductive path from the contacts 26 to the contacts 2? of the conductors 28 and 29 respectively to close the circuit of the motor id, in turn to actuate the tape the extension 2.

To dissipate the vibrations if any puller and pull the tape across that when the tape roller 6, see Fig. 2, has taken up the slack adjacent to the extension 2, to the extent indicated the bridge or rib 36 formed in the glass container 2 will beswung up to divide the fluid mercury into two portions, separated from one another by the bridge 36 and thus break the conductive path from the contact 26 to the contact 2?.

On the other hand when the ticker againresumes-its operation and discharges sufficient tape to increase the loop front of the extension 2,

at least to the extent illustrated in Fig. 3, the

glasscontainer 25 will by its own weight rock down into the position there illustrated where the crest of the bridge 35 will be inclined to the horizontal and permit the fluid mercury to pass along one edge thereof andconstitute a conduc tive path from the contact 29 to the contact 21.

. To clear the two rows of type or printed matter formed on the tape T as a rule and thereby protect the same from being smeared while still fresh, the container 2 5 is formed with a central annular outwardly extending ridge 3! which alone engages the tape and see Fig. 4 only the central portion thereof between the two rows of printed matter.

From the foregoing, it will appear that the only moving part of the switch in this embodiment is the glass container itself and the only bearings, the trunnion bearings formed by the cars at and 32 with the orifices 33 and 34 which primarily on account of the light weight of the container 2:3 will require practically no lubrication if any; that the contacts of the switch will be at all times sealed against exposure and that at no time constitute a fire hazard no matter howclose'the switch maybe disposed relative to the tape T and that no oxidation of such contact points will follow as a result thereof; and. that the container 28' due to the ridge 3'! will ordinarily be protected from discoloration by the ink of the'freshly printed matter on the tape and on the other hand due to the composition of the container, to wit glass, may be with facility transmitted. to the tape by the ticker and the like, there is aooige cleaned or washed without danger ofcorrosion due either to the ink or to the cleaningfiuid, water or. the like.

It will also appear from the foregoing that due to the slight lubrication if any required with this device, the same will be particularly free from any exposed lubrication so attractive to the accumulation of dust particles and the like.

The switch'used in the embodiment of Figs. 6 and '7 alsois preferably a mercury switch. The switch in this case is provided with a glass container 38. which however is not operable about an axis eccentric to the glass container but instead thereof is pivotable about an axis disposed at right angles to the container 38. This container 38 is secured to a clip 39 gripping one end thereof which is pivotally mounted on the pin til extending from the extension 2. The other end of the container 38 is preferably provided with a diminished arm il having an enlarged disc portion 42 formed at the end thereof which see Fig. 6 engages the center of the tape in the area formed between the printed surfaces of the same.

In the present instanceQthe container 38 has formed thereon two chambered projections :33

and 44 in which are disposed the contacts 26' and 21' which are connected by the flexible conductors 2t and 21 to the main conductors and 29 by the connection blocks 28 and 29 which connectors 28 and 2&3 correspond to the where the arm-4l descends suficiently to permit 7 the fluid mercury 25 to form a conductive path between the contacts 25 and 2'5, the switch will be closed and on the other hand when the slack is suificiently taken up to raise the arm ii where the fiuid mercury 25 will spill into the rear end 45 of the container 38, the fluid mercury 25 will at least be interrupted in its path from the contact 21 to the contact 26', in turn to interrupt the currentor open the switch.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, theswitch there illustrated is similar to the switch illustrated in Figs. 6 and h with the exception that the arm M is disposed at right ang'les'to the axis of the container 38' instead of parallel to'the axis of the container 38' as is the case. of the relative position of the arm 4! to the container 38 of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 6 and '7. V The container 38 illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 is engaged by the clip 36 which is pivotally connected to the pivot pin ii journaled in the bracket 7 48 extending from the side of the extension 2. The

clip 36 in the present instance is preferably provided with two openings in its lower. end to accommodate the chambered projections 53 and M in which are disposed the contacts 26 and 2? respectively, which are connected by any suitable flexible conductors such as the flexible conductors 26 and 21 to the connection blocks 28 and 2e of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6.

The arm 41 as aforesaid extending at right angles to the'axis of the container 38 is provided with an enlarged annulardisc portion 432' similar to the disc portion 42 of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6 and, 'see Fig. 8. engages the tape T in the area disposed between the printed markings formed thereon.

1 It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made to the details of construction without departing from the general spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with a fluid mercury switch controlled by a tape having two substantially parallel but spaced rows of printed matter consisting of a pivotally mounted glass container disposed transversely of said tape and extending over said printed matter, of fluid merciu'y in said container, contacts mounted in said container to be electrically connected by the mercury when said container is swung into one position to enable said flm'd mercury to extend from one contact to another and to be electrically disconnected when said container is swung into another position to enable said fluid mercury to flow out of engagement with said contacts, and medially disposed tape engaging ridge formed on said container to engage the tape at the space between the rows of printed matter and to spend to deflections in'the tape so to move the container either into circuit establishing position or circuit interrupting position.

2. The combination with a flexible band such as a ticker tape, of a fluid mercury switch to be used to control the movement of said band consisting of a pivotally mounted container resting on said band and responsive to deflections in said band to be pivotally moved, pivotal center of said container the point of engagemerit of said container with said band being positicned on opposite sides of an imaginary vertical line to enable the gravity pull on the container about its pivotal center to maintain the container in engagement with said band, fluid mercury in said container, and contacts mounted on said container to be electrically connected by the fluid mercury when said container is swung into one position to lower said contacts into circult making engagement with said fluid mercury and to be electrically disconnected when said contamer is swung into another position to raise said contacts out of circuit making engagement with said fluid mercury.

3. The combination with a ticker tape having two rows of printed matter, of a fluid mercury switch consisting of a pivotally mounted container, fluid mercury in said container, a medially isposed tape engaging ridge formed on said container and constituting an integral part thereof to engage the tape between its rows of printed matter, the pivotal center or" said container and point of engagement with said tape being positioned on opposite sides of an imaginary vertical line to enable the gravity pull on the container about its pivotal center to maintain the container in engagement with said tape, contacts mounted on said container between the pivotal center of said container and the point of engagement of said container with said tape, the container cooperating with the tape to deflect the tape when a predetermined amount of slack is formed in the tape to rock about its pivotal center to a point where its contacts will descend into circuit making engagement with the fluid mercury in said container and cooperating with the tape upon taking up a predetermined amount of the slack in the tape to rock about its pivotal center to a point where its contacts will rise out of circuit making engagement with the mercury in said container, and a medially disposed tape engaging ridge formed on said container and constituting an integral part thereof to engage the tape between its rows of printed matter.

4. The combination with a ticker tape having two rows of printed matter; of a fluid mercury switch consisting of a glass container pivotally mounted on an axis parallel to but eccentric to the normal axis of said container, said container having intermediate its ends a narrow annular ridge formed thereon to engage the middle of the tape clearing its two rows of printed matter, said container being responsive to deflections in said tape to be pivotally moved thereby, fluid mercury in said container, and contacts associated with said container to be electrically connected. by the fluid mercury when swung into one position and to be electrically disconnected when swung into another position; and conductors connecting said contacts with a motor and source curr nt supply.

5. The combination with a ticker tape having two rows of printed matter; of a fluid mercury switch consisting of a glass container pivotally mounted on an axis parallel to but eccentric to tl e normal axis of said container and extending across said tape transverse to the path of movement thereof, said container having inte ate its ends a narrow annular ridge thereon to engage the middle of the tape ole-a its two rows of printed matter, said container being responsive to deflections in said tape to be pivotally moved thereby, fluid mercury in container, and contacts associated said c .tainer to be electrically connected by the fluid "only when swung into one position and to be electrically disconnected when swung into another position; and conductors connecting said contacts with a motor and source current supply.

6. The combination with a flexible band, such as a ticker tape, of a fluid mercury switch to be used to control the movement of said band consisting ofa pivotally mounted container ing an extension resting on said band and responsive to deflections in said band to transmit motion to said container, the pivotal center oi said container and the point of engagement of said extension with said band being positioned on opposite sides of the center of gravity common to said container and said extension to enable the gravity pull on the container about i s pivotal center to maintain the extension in engagement with said band, fluid mercury in said container, and contacts mounted on said container to be electrically connected by the fluid mercury when said container is swung into one position to lower said contacts into circuit making engagement with said fluid mercury and to be electrically disconnected when said containor is swung into another position to raise said contacts out of circuit making position with said fluid mercury.

7. The combination with a ticker tape having two rows or" printed matter, of a fluid mercury switch consisting of a pivotally mounted container having an extension to engage the tape between its rows of printed matter and responsive to deflections in said tape, the pivotal center of said container and the point of engagement of said extension with said tape being positioned on opposite sides of the center of gravity of said container to enable the gravity pull on the container about its pivotal center to maintain the extension in engagement with said tape, fluid mercury in said container, and contacts mounted on said container to be electrically connected by the fluid mercury when said container is swung into one position to lower said contacts into circuit making engagement with said fluid mercury and tobe electrically disconnected when said container is swung into another position to raise said contacts out of circuit making engagement with said fluid mercury.

8. The-combination with a tickertape having 'two rows of printed matter, of a fluid'mercur'y switch consisting of a pivotally mounted container having a curved'ridge to engage'the tape between its rows of printed matter and responsive to deflections in said tape, the pivotal center of said container and the axis of said curved ridge being parallel, said pivotal center and the point of engagement of said ridge with said tape being of said ridge with said band being positioned on positioned on opposite sides of the center of gravity of said container to enable the gravity pull on the container about itspivotal center to maintain the container in engagement with said tape,rfluid mercury in said container, and contacts mounted on said container to be electrically connected by the fluid mercury when said container is swung into one position to lower said contacts into circuit making position with said fluid mercury and to be electrically disconnected when said container is swung into another position to raise said contacts out of circuit, making engagement with said fluid -meropposite sides of the center of gravity common to said container and ridge to enable the gravity pull on the container about its pivotal center to maintain the ridge in engagement with said band, fluid mercury in said container, and-c'on tacts mounted on said container to' be electrically connected by the fluid mercury when said container is swung into one position to lowersaid contacts into circuit making engagement with said fluid mercury and to be electrically disconnected when said container is swung into another position to raise said contacts out of circuit mak ing engagement with said fluid mercury.

10. The combination with a flexible band, such as a ticker tape, of a fluid mercury switch to be used to control the movement of said band consisting of a container mounted to pivot about an axis transverse to the width of the tape and having an extension with a curved tape engaging ridge substantially perpendicular to the pivotal'axis of the container, said curved ridge resting on said band and responsive to deflections in said band to transmit motion to said container, the pivotal center of said container and point of engagement of said ridge with said band being positioned on opposite sides of the center of gravity common to said container and ridge to enable the gravity pull on the container about its pivotal center to maintain the ridge in engagement with said band, fluid mercury in said container, and contacts mounted on said container to be electrically connected by the mercury when said container is swung into one 7 position to lower said contacts into circuit making engagement with said fluid mercury and to be electrically disconnected when said container is swung into another position to raise said contacts out of circuit making engagement with said fluid mercury.

AUGUST D. EITZEN. 4O 

